Improving our offense- Simple advice from Warren Sharp

Bobhaze

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This afternoon I heard Warren Sharp, one of the most respected offensive minds in the NFL on Dallas radio station “The Ticket” being interviewed by Bob Storm. It was very insightful to say the least (Here’s a link to Sharp’s website-https://www.sharpfootballanalysis.com/)

Sharp is often a consultant to NFL teams using stats and trends to improve offensive performance. He had some fascinating points and ideas on how the Cowboys can improve their performance on offense. Here were some of his major points describing some of the Cowboys offensive problems and how to fix them:
  • The Cowboys became way too conservative in the 3rd qtr, especially when they had the lead. They ran the ball on first down nearly 60% of the time, and were usually facing 2nd down and long way too often. He recommends passing more on 1st down, especially in the second half to keep defenses honest. He also said throwing a pass to Zeke on first down was a statistical strong play that Linehan rarely called last year.
  • Improving FIRST DOWN playcalling. The Cowboys had THE most predictable offense on first down in the NFL, especially when they had the lead. Sitting on a lead, especially a less than two score lead can kill your momentum and it gives the opponent the edge on being aggressive. The days of being conservative with the lead have become old fashioned. (A real sad trademark of Garrett coached teams)
  • Be more aggressive. Throw deep more, especially on first down. Defenses against us typically stack the box and don’t respect any kind of deep threat. Even if you don’t convert a deep ball, two positives can happen- a PI call or if nothing else, the defense now knows you might try to go over the top and may back off a little on the run.
  • Red zone improvement? Utilize Dak more as a runner. Dak has been the second best red zone runner in the NFL the past two seasons. Because Zeke is expected to run the ball inside the 10, Sharp said running Dak way more than they have in the red zone keeps defenses more in their heels, especially if Dak is a frequent runner.
  • Give defenses more wrinkles in their standard formations. The Cowboys have been extremely conservative in the type of plays they run in certain formations. For example, when running 4 wide and 1 back, they almost always throw, which is fairly predictable. How about running the ball there more? Or with the empty backfield 5 wide sets, how about running a QB draw?

In short:
1. Be more aggressive, especially in the 3rd qtr. (Don’t get so conservative with a lead)
2. Throw deep more.
3. Let Dak run more, especially in red zone.
4. Throw to Zeke more on 1st down.
5. Run less predictable plays from standard formations.

I hope Garrett lets Kellen Moore have the freedom to do these changes. Otherwise, expect another frustrating year on offense.
 

Praxit

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.....I can only point the finger to Mr. Vanilla Linehan on this one. Sometimes the guy presented odd crap such as mentioned in first bullet paragraph. If a play worked, he wouldn't call it again. (weird **** you asked me)

Right after we assembled a first down, a run play would occur 80% of the time. Everyone knew Zeke was getting the ball up @ A, B, or C gap. Which most of the time resulted for 2 yrd gain or no gain.

On brighter side of things. He's gone....
 

CowboyRoy

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This afternoon I heard Warren Sharp, one of the most respected offensive minds in the NFL on Dallas radio station “The Ticket” being interviewed by Bob Storm. It was very insightful to say the least (Here’s a link to Sharp’s website-https://www.sharpfootballanalysis.com/)

Sharp is often a consultant to NFL teams using stats and trends to improve offensive performance. He had some fascinating points and ideas on how the Cowboys can improve their performance on offense. Here were some of his major points describing some of the Cowboys offensive problems and how to fix them:
  • The Cowboys became way too conservative in the 3rd qtr, especially when they had the lead. They ran the ball on first down nearly 60% of the time, and were usually facing 2nd down and long way too often. He recommends passing more on 1st down, especially in the second half to keep defenses honest. He also said throwing a pass to Zeke on first down was a statistical strong play that Linehan rarely called last year.
  • Improving FIRST DOWN playcalling. The Cowboys had THE most predictable offense on first down in the NFL, especially when they had the lead. Sitting on a lead, especially a less than two score lead can kill your momentum and it gives the opponent the edge on being aggressive. The days of being conservative with the lead have become old fashioned. (A real sad trademark of Garrett coached teams)
  • Be more aggressive. Throw deep more, especially on first down. Defenses against us typically stack the box and don’t respect any kind of deep threat. Even if you don’t convert a deep ball, two positives can happen- a PI call or if nothing else, the defense now knows you might try to go over the top and may back off a little on the run.
  • Red zone improvement? Utilize Dak more as a runner. Dak has been the second best red zone runner in the NFL the past two seasons. Because Zeke is expected to run the ball inside the 10, Sharp said running Dak way more than they have in the red zone keeps defenses more in their heels, especially if Dak is a frequent runner.
  • Give defenses more wrinkles in their standard formations. The Cowboys have been extremely conservative in the type of plays they run in certain formations. For example, when running 4 wide and 1 back, they almost always throw, which is fairly predictable. How about running the ball there more? Or with the empty backfield 5 wide sets, how about running a QB draw?
In short:
1. Be more aggressive, especially in the 3rd qtr. (Don’t get so conservative with a lead)
2. Throw deep more.
3. Let Dak run more, especially in red zone.
4. Throw to Zeke more on 1st down.
5. Run less predictable plays from standard formations.

I hope Garrett lets Kellen Moore have the freedom to do these changes. Otherwise, expect another frustrating year on offense.

But wait...…...IDGIT says none of this is true and we are making it all up. Garrett's offense is awesome, just ask him.
 

Ranching

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This afternoon I heard Warren Sharp, one of the most respected offensive minds in the NFL on Dallas radio station “The Ticket” being interviewed by Bob Storm. It was very insightful to say the least (Here’s a link to Sharp’s website-https://www.sharpfootballanalysis.com/)

Sharp is often a consultant to NFL teams using stats and trends to improve offensive performance. He had some fascinating points and ideas on how the Cowboys can improve their performance on offense. Here were some of his major points describing some of the Cowboys offensive problems and how to fix them:
  • The Cowboys became way too conservative in the 3rd qtr, especially when they had the lead. They ran the ball on first down nearly 60% of the time, and were usually facing 2nd down and long way too often. He recommends passing more on 1st down, especially in the second half to keep defenses honest. He also said throwing a pass to Zeke on first down was a statistical strong play that Linehan rarely called last year.
  • Improving FIRST DOWN playcalling. The Cowboys had THE most predictable offense on first down in the NFL, especially when they had the lead. Sitting on a lead, especially a less than two score lead can kill your momentum and it gives the opponent the edge on being aggressive. The days of being conservative with the lead have become old fashioned. (A real sad trademark of Garrett coached teams)
  • Be more aggressive. Throw deep more, especially on first down. Defenses against us typically stack the box and don’t respect any kind of deep threat. Even if you don’t convert a deep ball, two positives can happen- a PI call or if nothing else, the defense now knows you might try to go over the top and may back off a little on the run.
  • Red zone improvement? Utilize Dak more as a runner. Dak has been the second best red zone runner in the NFL the past two seasons. Because Zeke is expected to run the ball inside the 10, Sharp said running Dak way more than they have in the red zone keeps defenses more in their heels, especially if Dak is a frequent runner.
  • Give defenses more wrinkles in their standard formations. The Cowboys have been extremely conservative in the type of plays they run in certain formations. For example, when running 4 wide and 1 back, they almost always throw, which is fairly predictable. How about running the ball there more? Or with the empty backfield 5 wide sets, how about running a QB draw?
In short:
1. Be more aggressive, especially in the 3rd qtr. (Don’t get so conservative with a lead)
2. Throw deep more.
3. Let Dak run more, especially in red zone.
4. Throw to Zeke more on 1st down.
5. Run less predictable plays from standard formations.

I hope Garrett lets Kellen Moore have the freedom to do these changes. Otherwise, expect another frustrating year on offense.
Genius!!!!!
 

xwalker

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  • Give defenses more wrinkles in their standard formations. The Cowboys have been extremely conservative in the type of plays they run in certain formations. For example, when running 4 wide and 1 back, they almost always throw, which is fairly predictable. How about running the ball there more? Or with the empty backfield 5 wide sets, how about running a QB draw?

Cowboys 2018 with 4 WRs, 1 RB:
- Pass 57%
- Run 43%
 

CowboyRoy

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he forgot that Garrett is still the HC,he always sat on leads as long as possible.

Funny because Garrett went from blowing 23 point leads with Romo by NOT being conservative enough to blowing leads by being too conservative. Ive never seen a guy that has absolutely NO feel for the flow of a game like Garrett. He belongs absolutely nowhere near game day management or game planning.
 
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I agree with Sharp completely, but I don't see Garrett allowing the offense to open up as Sharp recommends.

He believes his Tecmo Bowl offense will flummox defenses. All they need to do is beat the guy in front of you.

I think Moore may try to modernize the offense, but I believe Garrett will keep the leash very tight on him.
 

Blackrain

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This is pretty much why we make the playoffs and are quickly sitting home . We get out coached and our talent just cant overcome it . None of it is rocket science its basic stuff and adjustments that we should be able to perform and not be so predictable .

Power running is our strength but Im hoping Moore lets them play a little street ball this year at certain points in the game .
 

Blackrain

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Funny because Garrett went from blowing 23 point leads with Romo by NOT being conservative enough to blowing leads by being too conservative. Ive never seen a guy that has absolutely NO feel for the flow of a game like Garrett. He belongs absolutely nowhere near game day management or game planning.

All True post of the day!!!
 

xwalker

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  • Red zone improvement? Utilize Dak more as a runner. Dak has been the second best red zone runner in the NFL the past two seasons. Because Zeke is expected to run the ball inside the 10, Sharp said running Dak way more than they have in the red zone keeps defenses more in their heels, especially if Dak is a frequent runner.
The Cowboys in 2018 were 6th in rushing attempts by the QB in the Red-zone.

It is true that the Cowboys had the 2nd most rushing TDs by their QB on QB rushing attempts in the Red-zone.
 

GenoT

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IMO, Sharp’s comments sound like @75% of all Cowboy Zone play-calling advice threads from last season.

One thing that will be revealed in the coming season is, if Moore’s calls should seem in any way too conservative, then we’ll know that such past problems were likely more on Garrett than Linehan.
 

beware_d-ware

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One thing I've seen - when we load up power sets, it's always a run play. We put in our #2 and #3 TEs, even though they are both terrible blockers; we put in our FB, even though he is a terrible blocker; we bring our 220 pound H back Noah Brown in motion, and we just pound it straight at a defense expecting run all the way. Great job Linehan, now it's 2nd and 8. There's a time and place for power runs, but don't run them when all your "heavy" personnel suck at their jobs.

One thing I wish we'd do is what the Patriots do - when we run for a first down, rush up to the LOS and quick-snap another run play before the defense gets set. It's EZ low-risk yardage if you can catch the defense fast enough, and it's a good way to wear them down. Imagine Travis Frederick punching you off the ball, then you run to get reset, and before you can even get down in a 3 point stance Frederick is punching you again. But nope - we prefer to go back to the huddle and run the play clock down to 0.
 
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